Welcome to PROVENCE TODAY, a blog about life and politics in France.
In our search for the ideal place to retire, my husband and I settled in Aix-en-Provence in 1998 and have never stopped learning about this fascinating country that has become our permanent home. While this blog deals with the socio-political aspects of France, my book "Taking Root in Provence" focuses on the pleasures and paradoxes of daily life in sunny Provence.

Monday, May 15, 2017

Yesterday, Emmanuel Macron was sworn in as president of
France, at 39 the youngest ever, elected without the backing of a political
party, and until recently better known for his unusual marriage than for his
presidential potential. Seeing the official passation
de pouvoir on television − a damaged and unpopular President Hollande
handing over his powers to the rebellious economy minister who had left him
less than a year ago to form his own political movement − the improbable story of the
young outsider finally became real.

Outgoing and incoming presidents

Of course, Macron was helped by the fact that President
Hollande did not run for re-election, that primary winner and front-runner for
the presidency François Fillon self-destructed during his campaign, and that
the Socialist party was largely destroyed by infighting and numerous
defections. Nevertheless, when last November Macron declared himself a
candidate for the presidency, few people thought he could win, let alone in
less than six months. But his ambition, his intelligence, his youth and energy,
his independence from any political party, and the timing of his candidacy − when
France was weary of prolonged high unemployment, angry at corrupt politicians,
and full of doubt − opened the door to something new. And in stepped Macron,
together with a wife who fascinates the press far beyond France.

BRIGITTE

As the entire world knows by now, Brigitte Macron is 24
years older than her husband. They are both from the northern city of Amiens,
where Brigitte Trogneux was a teacher of French and drama at her daughter's
high school when she first met the student Macron; she 39 and married, he 15.
When at age 17 he declared his love for her, his parents sent him off to Paris
for further study. Several years later, Brigitte divorced her husband and moved
to Paris where she continued teaching until 2015. She and Macron married in
2007, a happy ending to an unusual love story, and one that made Macron an
instant stepfather of Brigitte's son and two daughters (today engineer,
cardiologist and lawyer, respectively) and now step grandfather to seven
grandchildren.

Their determination in the face of opposition by parents and
rejection by the settled bourgeoisie in Amiens, as well as the patience and
persistence with which they slowly won back respect and support, are character
traits that will come them in good stead in dealing with the inevitable
hardships and pitfalls of politics. And with the cruel emphasis placed on her
age. Some hurtful and mean-spirited remarks regarding the couple's difference
in age have already appeared, directed mostly at Brigitte, whose heels are
judged too high, her skirts too short, and her appearance altogether too high-fashion.
But this woman who broke the rules long ago amid much criticism in order to
live her dream with Emmanuel Macron, has had time to develop a thick skin. It
also helps that she has a sense of humor. Here's what she said when Macron had
won the election: "It's a good thing he won now, because in 2022 my face
would have made it impossible."

As someone who watched the all-day inauguration ceremonies
on television yesterday, with its share of solemnity, ritual, splendor and
poignancy, I sensed a positive mood overtake the city, a return of hope and
self confidence, a belief in the promise of this young president who wants to
revolutionize the political system and make it more efficient and responsive to
today's needs. His task is immense and his path marked with goals he is
expected to reach very soon, first among them to obtain a majority of seats in
parliament for his new government (to be voted on the 11th and 18th of June)
without which it will be near-impossible for him to enact his program of change.

After a much-applauded inaugural speech, humble and grand
all at once, he was given a great send-off. Now it's up to him.

About Me

About us, rather: Anne-Marie has worked as a translator, teacher, journalist, sportswriter (covering Formula 1 races), and director of corporate communications. She followed her husband Oscar into early retirement in 1998.
Oscar made his career in international development banking and since moving to Provence has become an expert on Provençal cooking.
Anne-Marie has written two books: Ten Years in Provence (2008 - out of print) and Taking Root in Provence (2011 - Distinction Press, Vermont).